Nucleosome-nucleosome interactions via histone tails and linker DNA regulate nuclear rigidity.

ABSTRACT: Cells, as well as the nuclei inside them, experience significant mechanical stress in diverse biological processes, including contraction, migration, and adhesion. The structural stability of nuclei must therefore be maintained in order to protect genome integrity. Despite extensive knowledge on nuclear architecture and components, however, the underlying physical and molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. We address this by subjecting isolated human cell nuclei to microneedle-based quantitative micromanipulation with a series of biochemical perturbations of the chromatin. We find that the mechanical rigidity of nuclei depends on the continuity of the nucleosomal fiber and interactions between nucleosomes. Disrupting these chromatin features by varying cation concentration, acetylati

SUBMITTER: Shimamoto Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5449155 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature